PET Packaging With UV Barrier and 100% rPET

My name is Vicki Irons, and I’m a Key Account Manager at Penn Color. Recently, a customer came to me with a challenge we’re seeing more often: the need for a quick, sustainable redesign with complex technical requirements. The original design was for a transparent yellow PET bottle, made from 100% rPET, with a UV barrier. However, the competitor's design had failed the fade test due to an insufficient UV barrier, and to complicate matters, it also failed drop tests, requiring an impact modifier.

Working closely with the customer, we agreed to reset the development specifications to enhance both the UV barrier and the bottle’s mechanical properties, all while maintaining maximum transparency and minimizing haze. We also needed to ensure that the pigments, dyes, and additives complied with strict regulatory standards for this oil-based product. It was a significant challenge, but after thorough technical evaluation, we proposed a formulation that included colorant, a UV barrier, and a proprietary Penn Color impact modifier. This solution passed the transparency, fade, and drop tests without introducing any haze.

Our technical expertise in swiftly resolving this challenge has been invaluable to my customer. This project advanced from concept to approved bottle samples in less than three months! The customer remains a partner due to our ability to deliver quick turnaround on critical projects, which accelerates their speed to market.